Covid-19 Second Update from BC:

(as at 4pm 19/03/2020)

Following on from our email last night, I can confirm the only thing we can safely predict is change!  Since then there has been more cases of Covid-19 (all related to overseas travel), more restriction around event numbers and gatherings from the NZ Government (no events of over 100 people), and more and more codes cancelling their sports at all levels.

With Badminton NZ making the tough decision today to cancel all their events and training squads, Badminton Canterbury have decided to follow suit.  Effective today, all BC events have been cancelled until the 27th April.  This includes:

• All Squad trainings
• Senior Trials
• Honda Cup
• Super Vets
• Shuttletime End of Term Junior Tournament
• Shuttletime Coach/Teacher Training
• Shuttletime After School Programs
• Pre-Season Doubles Tournament
• Regional Coaching Day
• Sunday Masters

Full refunds for anyone who has pre-paid will be given in due course – just bear with us as we sort through that process.

Please be assured this decision has not been taken lightly.  When we evaluated the current factors in play we felt it is the best decision for the health of our badminton friends and greater community.

The hall (220 Pages Road) is currently still open for casual users with the following rules in place that must be followed.

• If you have returned from overseas, no entry to the hall for 14 days
• If you have been in contact with someone who has returned from overseas, do not enter the hall for 14 days from the date of contact
• If you have been in contact with someone who is showing symptoms or has a positive test for Covid-19, do not enter the hall for 14 days.
• Players should observe personal hygiene set by the Ministry of Health.  We also ask players to carry and use their own hand sanitizer.

If you, or someone you are playing with, becomes unwell or shows symptoms while at the hall, please cease your activity, self-isolate and follow the Ministry of Health Guidelines as attached.  Please (confidentially) inform manager@badmintoncanterbury.com so we are able to communicate with other users of the hall at that time and try to limit any potential spread. Alternatively send us a private message on Facebook.

Plans:

Obviously this is a constantly evolving situation, and we are taking our guidance from the NZ Government, Badminton NZ, and also keeping watch on what other associations in NZ and other sports codes are doing.  We are constantly evaluating what we think best practice should be, and will keep communication with you via email and Facebook, a printed copy of this will also be put in the hall next time member of our team is there.

At this stage we are continuing to plan the rest of our year (interclub and other events), as if they will go ahead.  We know many will be wanting to get back on the court, and it is easier to cancel than last minute organising of events and teams.  There will be information coming out shortly for our AGM and Interclub events – these are scheduled to start after 2th April.

Rep Players:

Badminton NZ have advised there will be different dates than usual surrounding the naming of our teams for Senior Inter Association.  They expect to have further information out to us next week, we will wait until then before making any decisions.  In the meantime, anyone interested in representing Canterbury this year should keep up their fitness as best they can, so they are ready!

Clubs:

The advice to clubs has not changed – that is we do not feel BC is able to tell clubs they are not allowed to run, it is up to each club to decide if they are going to continue with their club nights and other planned events or not.  Clubs must give the current climate strong consideration, keeping up to date with government guidelines surrounding social distancing and event size.   We do suggest looking to what other clubs are currently doing for events and social gatherings.  If any clubs want further guidance and support around this please email manager@badmintoncanterbury.com and I can get in touch with you.

Above all, follow the guidelines given by the NZ Government, they can respond much quicker than we can, and feel free to get in touch with any questions, office@badmintoncanterbury.com